Student sparks farmers’ market that turns wasted fruit into fresh ideas
A Year 5 student in the Whitsundays noticed something simple. And honestly, it’s the kind of thing that usually disappears unnoticed—until it doesn’t.
Georgia Turner watched food go to waste from backyard gardens and local farms, after seeing an episode of ABC TV’s War on Waste last year. What stood out? “My neighbour’s mandarin tree had lots of mandarins,” Georgia said. “Most of them just got mouldy and fell on the ground.” It was a small observation, but it turned into a big question: what if that “left over” fruit didn’t just rot?
Georgia’s mum encouraged her to take a proposal to the Primary Campus deputy school principal, Samantha Hinton. “Mrs Hinton listened to my idea, and then I just hoped it could do something,” Georgia said. From there, the concept moved fast—because once the idea landed, it seemed to click with the whole school community.
What started as a plan to reduce food waste has grown into a vibrant, fortnightly farmers’ market at St Catherine’s Catholic College.
Mrs Hinton said Market Day has become one of the most anticipated events on the school calendar. “It’s just a really nice way to start that day,” she said. The markets run every second Friday before school from 8am for half an hour, and they’re open to school students, staff and families at St Catherine’s. You’ll find everything from fresh eggs and honey to baked goods, craft, and seasonal fruit—so the “leftovers” become something people actually look forward to buying.
There’s also a learning layer here, and it’s not just about what gets sold. Students take part in every step of gathering and making their produce. Parental support is mostly limited to stall set-up and pack-down on market day. Students handle the big parts: creating marketing material and displays, pricing items, and even the customer-service side—calculating change and speaking with customers about the products.
“I think our next thing is to support parents to make sure that the kids are paying them back for different things that they’re doing. So, if they’re making biscuits, that they understand that part of that money goes into whatever it is that they needed to buy it.”
For parents watching the shift in their kids, the benefits feel real. Monica Falconer said she’s seen clear changes in her daughters, Alice and Lucy, who run their own stall selling produce sourced from the family property. “As a parent, I’ve really enjoyed seeing my daughters’ people skills improve,” she said. The lead-up has become a highlight too. “I love seeing their anticipation and excitement,” Ms Falconer said. “They’re organised to pack all the fruits, veggies and eggs and work out pricing. I just love how excited they get.”
Now the markets are well underway for 2026, and Georgia is already looking outward—hoping other schools will copy the model. “You just need a supportive school and a teacher that will wake up early for markets,” she said. In the end, it’s a straightforward formula: notice the waste, then give it a purpose—before it turns mouldy on the ground.